Inside the College Admissions Process for Student Athletes Supporting student athletes can be challenging as the process varies by division, conference, college, admissions office, and coach. This session will give you a glimpse of the process through the eyes of DI, DII, DIII, and NAIA admissions. A panel of your peers from the NCAA AD Hock Committee will arm you with tools and information in your quest to meet the needs of this unique student and parent population.

Introduction of Speaker Panel Moderator: Valerie Johnson, Oaks Christian School, vjohnson@oakschristian.org DI Kelsey Bradshaw, USC, kkbradsh@usc.edu DII Matt Danes, CSUMB, mdaines@csumb.edu DIII Slade Burns, Pomona College, Slade.Burns@pomona.edu NAIA Thomas Galbraith, Simpson University, tgalbraith@simpsonu.edu High School Erik Ellefsen, Valley Christian School, eellefsen@vcs.net

Division I: Kelsey Bradshaw, USC, kkbradsh@usc.edu Athletics Admission Subcommittee Process Decision-Making Compared to other Talent programs on campus

Division II: Matt Danes, CSUMB, mdaines@csumb.edu

Division III: Slade Burns, Pomona College, Slade.Burns@pomona.edu 1. What makes D3 different? Moving past perceptions of talent and ability What does balance look like in D3? 2. Pomona’s process: Engagement with coaches Coach offers to put the student through the pre-read process Positive read from admissions Clear language from the coach that, if a student were to apply ED, coaching staff would put the student forward as one of their allotted recruits Student puts together a competitive application (writes well, gets good LORs, maintains strong academic work, etc. etc.) 3. What can you prepare your families for? Asking, advocacy, and ambiguity

NAIA: Thomas Galbraith, Simpson University, tgalbraith@simpsonu.edu

High School: Erik Ellefsen, Valley Christian School, eellefsen@vcs.net

Ask Questions and Empower: 1. Why? 2. How Good Are You? 3. Do you have financial need? 4. What are your ambitions? 5. What are you looking for in this experience?

Start with the “Why”

D3 Avg. Financial Aid Package: $17,529 Where’s the Money D1 Avg. Scholarship: $14,270-15,162 D2 Avg. Scholarship: $5,548-6,814 D3 Avg. Financial Aid Package: $17,529

What are you looking for? More than Athletics What are you looking for?

Prepare for the Process: Identify: Your Values, Ambitions, Dreams Research: Colleges, your sport, the team, and COACHES Social Media: You will be monitored (3/4 of recruiting coordinators surveyed check social media). Online Recruiting Agencies: 90% of recruiting coordinators surveyed don’t actively engage with these services. Visit Colleges/Recruit Camps: They are the same and not the same. Be a Student & Fan of the Game: Watch & Attend. Play and Have Fun!!!!

Communicate through the Process: Online Recruit Questionnaire or Recruit Spot College Admissions “Get Info” link Email the Recruiting Coordinator and Position Coach Paragraph 1: Basics about yourself, academics, & interest in college/team. Paragraph 2: Stats, Physical Data, and Highlight Link Paragraph 3: Contact info (Home, Coach, & School Counselor) Follow the coach or team on Social Media (Twitter) Follow Up

Implement the Process and Stick with It!: 4 Most Common Strategies We Use to Guide Students: - Targeted Approach - Research, Apply, Communicate - Fleecing - Play, Prepare, & …